“Pilot Miraculously Survives Nepal Plane Crash”

A plane crash during takeoff from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, claimed the lives of 18 people on Wednesday. The pilot, the sole survivor, is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. The crash occurred around 11:15 local time (05:30 GMT), just minutes after the plane departed from Tribhuvan International Airport.

The Saurya Airlines test flight was carrying 19 individuals, including technical staff and two crew members, as part of a routine maintenance check. Despite the pilot’s survival, the accident resulted in the loss of 17 Nepalis and one Yemeni engineer.

Airport chief Jagannath Niraula explained to BBC Nepali that the accident happened almost immediately after takeoff. The Nepal Civil Aviation Authority’s search and rescue coordination center stated that the plane turned right instead of left shortly after becoming airborne. Footage of the incident shows the aircraft tilting above the runway before crashing and erupting into flames.

Rescue workers were seen navigating the wreckage, with large sections of the plane charred and blackened. Fire engines and ambulances arrived swiftly at the scene. The pilot, who sustained injuries to his eyes and forehead, is not in life-threatening danger, according to police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki.

Nepal’s aviation industry has faced criticism for its poor safety record, attributed to factors such as unpredictable weather and lax regulations. This incident follows a tragic pattern, with a Yeti Airlines crash in January 2023 resulting in 72 fatalities. Saurya Airlines, which operates flights to five destinations within Nepal, has three Bombardier CRJ-200 jets in its fleet.

This devastating event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Nepal’s aviation sector and the need for continued efforts to improve safety standards.